Jero's Optimistic He'll Meet Tourism Targets

Antara News Agency reports that following the recent introduction of expanded visa-on-arrival facilities, Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik is increasingly confident that Indonesia will hit its stated target of 6 million tourism visitors in 2005.

Speaking in Padang, West Sumatra, Wacik said, "We are optimistic of reaching the target because starting August 1, we will open a visa on arrival facility to people from China, India and Middle Eastern countries."

The Tourism Minister feels the effect of the new visa policy will have an almost instantaneous impact on arrivals, with monthly arrival totals increasing on a month to month basis through the end of the year.